A Cherished Art Collection Inspired Every Room in This Quirky Historic Home

It's easy to tell when a home is truly personal to its owners – hinting at their interests and personalities through thoughtfully curated decor – and that's especially true for this historic home that sits within a 'quintessential and tree-lined' street in Philadelphia, known locally as Antiques Row.

Decorated by the interior designer Michelle Gage – known for her whimsical and bold design sensibilities – this house is all about joy-filled color palettes, playful patterns, and a considered blend of vintage and modern decor. The result? A charming home that's full of sentiment, which has also been designed with functionality front of mind to suit family life.

'This 1850s home was lovingly maintained, so there was no real renovation work for us to do,' Michelle explains. 'We love a decorating project, and this one was set to be full of all the fun stuff – paint colors, great existing artwork, and a desire for funky and vintage furniture. The clients needed a better hosting setup, a sweet sleep space, and an office that inspires productivity.'

Since the home was already in great condition, it meant its original details could remain intact throughout this decorating project. 'We wanted to enhance the home’s character while not changing it,' Michelle says. 'We did this by selecting paint colors that highlighted the trim and by choosing window treatment styles that felt in keeping with the home’s original charm.'

Decorating with art is a central theme that runs throughout this endearing home, since the owners already had an impressive collection. 'We were heavily inspired by the existing art in their home,' says Michelle. 'One of the homeowners has a brother who is a fantastic artist, so we looked to the pieces they had of his and made the rooms work with those pieces. Not only did it have a personal connection to the clients, but we genuinely loved it, so we used it as a jumping-off point for the home’s color story.'

Often, entryways are decorated with a level of restraint and a palette of neutrals, but this one is full of energy and optimism. The color combination of yellow-green and peach provides an instant hit of happiness. 'We wanted a wow moment in the entry vestibule,' explains Michelle. 'We paired the peach soaring bird wallpaper with a shocking chartreuse hue for the trim. It’s electric!'

Before embarking on the fun decor of the living room, Michelle needed to find a solution to its potentially awkward proportions, which were long and narrow. The space extends to the dining room, so defining the two areas was key. 'We really needed to separate the spaces and make them their own, as the room is narrow and has large doors that open in the center,' Michelle explains. 'We added ottomans that sprawled both spaces.'

For the living room area, coziness was front of mind. 'We wanted to create a cozy living experience that was great for the family but also for guests,' Michelle says. Alongside the rich and moody dark blue walls, pattern was key to creating this feel. 'We found and fell in love with this Liberty London floral velvet fabric and knew it would make the most luxe sofa,' the designer explains.

Decorating with vintage also brings the space to life. 'The home’s history inspired us to bring in vintage elements, like the brass and glass swan coffee table,' Michelle explains. 'It worked well for this narrow living room.' But to keep it feeling fresh, more modern details were added, too. 'The lighting in this room provides a playful and modern balance to the original crystal chandelier that hangs in the center.'

The dining room needed to be fit for hosting as well as being a functional space for daily family life. To do so, Michelle opted for an extendable dining table that allows for larger gatherings, without taking over the space when not in use. 'This dark walnut burl wood table is extendable to accommodate eight guests when needed,' she explains.

Vibrant colors add a sense of fun, from the bright orange patterned chairs to the green-yellow sideboard. 'The bold orange chairs are chic yet playful, with their upholstered legs,' Michelle says. 'For storage, we brought in a chartreuse scalloped credenza.'

Soft, soothing colors lead the way in the bedroom, which is equally as pattern-filled. 'This room started with the rug, while other rooms in the home had their design start with the art,' notes Michelle. 'The ochres and pinks are present in the grasscloth wallpaper. The green is pulled out into the velvet bed.'

Warm brass tones bring richness to the bedroom, not least through the chandelier. 'We chose this gorgeous glass and brass chandelier to provide such a classic and sophisticated statement in the room,' she says.

Sleep spaces often need more softness than other rooms, and in this case, this is added through the embroidered drapes, which create a cocooning, cozy feel. 'Their colors match what is happening in other elements of the room, and the beautiful detail adds a bespoke nature to the space,' Michelle says. 'Pairing the stripes of The Lawns wallpaper with the florals of the Horizons window treatment fabric is so chic!'

For Michelle, the home office stands out as a favorite room from the project. 'The swirl of colors and patterns feels sophisticated but playful,' she says. From the wallpaper to the burgundy trim, patterned rugs to the rich maroon sofa, this room is cozy, warm, and full of character.

That said, the more pared-back elements are equally important. 'The Horizon window treatments are a subtle woven rattan which balances brilliantly against the rich hues of this room,' Michelle explains. The sofa isn't just there to add design flair, either – it also serves as a guest bed when needed, and is cleverly 'paired with an end table that easily doubles as a nightstand.'

Choosing a standout element from a home with so much charm and character can be a tricky task, but one of the many achievements of this one is the selection of wallpapers. 'They have a timeless element to them but also are funky and fresh,' Michelle says.

And, while it's the playful approach that gives this home its memorability, it also, more importantly, serves as a truly functional family home – from quiet nights in to entertaining guests.

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